Update 11/22/2021

DAR Headquarters is open to the public! We welcome you back to visit the DAR Museum exhibit “Illuminating Design: The Decoration and Technology of E. F. Caldwell and Co., 1895-1959,” tour our 31 Period Rooms throughout our historic building, and do genealogical research in the DAR Library. Our main public entrance is located at 1776 D Street NW in Washington, D.C., and our hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm ET and Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET (closed Sundays and federal holidays – see Calendar for building closure dates).

For the safety of all visitors and staff, everyone regardless of vaccination status is strongly encouraged to wear masks while inside National Headquarters.

For members or public visitors wishing to meet with DAR staff in their administrative offices at DAR Headquarters, we ask that you please make an appointment with the office prior to your arrival to the building. To schedule appointments with select offices, please use this online reservation system: https://10to8.com/book/dar/ -- or contact your desired office directly.

Update 09/01/2021

DAR Headquarters is now back open to the public! We welcome you back to visit the DAR Museum exhibit “Illuminating Design: The Decoration and Technology of E. F. Caldwell and Co., 1895-1959,” tour our 31 Period Rooms throughout our historic building, and do genealogical research in the DAR Library. Our main public entrance is located at 1776 D Street NW in Washington, D.C., and our hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm ET and Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET (closed Sundays and federal holidays).

In compliance with Washington, D.C. regulations and for the safety of all visitors and staff, everyone regardless of vaccination status is required to wear masks while inside National Headquarters. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to reopen in a safe and welcoming manner while following District of Columbia mandates.

For members or public visitors wishing to meet with DAR staff in their administrative offices at DAR Headquarters, we ask that you please make an appointment with the office prior to your arrival to the building. To schedule appointments with select offices, please use this online reservation system: https://10to8.com/book/dar/ -- or contact your desired office directly.

Update 7/12/21

We’re excited to welcome you back! The DAR Headquarters buildings, including the DAR Museum, DAR Library and DAR Constitution Hall, will reopen on September 1.

Update 6/19/20
The District of Columbia enters into Phase II of reopening on Monday, June 22. Phase II allows 25% of DAR employees to return to work at DAR Headquarters beginning on Monday. We ask for your continued patience as we address a backlog of work that accumulated since March and the mandatory closure. DAR Headquarters will remain closed to the public and members until further notice.

Update 6/9/20 
The DAR Headquarters buildings, including the DAR Museum, DAR Library and DAR Constitution Hall, are closed until further notice following the guidelines of the phased reopening plan of the Mayor of the District of Columbia. Building status updates will continue to be posted here on the DAR Website as they develop.

Update 5/13/20 
The District of Columbia today extended the stay-at-home order and closure of non-essential businesses through June 8. As a result, the DAR National Headquarters will remain closed until that date or the order is rescinded. Virtually all employees continue to work remotely, though many functions (including DAR Applications) cannot be accessed/processed. Mail and other deliveries continue to be safely stored in a secure location. The President General and executive leadership continue to monitor events associated with the pandemic and to work with DAR staff regarding contingency planning for all functions. 

Update 5/1/20
The National Society DAR announced that the in-person gathering of the 129th Continental Congress will not be held in Washington, D.C. in June, but rather the business of the annual conference will be conducted online via the DAR Members’ Website, June 24-28, 2020. After much deliberation it was determined that health concerns, travel complications and municipal restrictions made it impossible to stage DAR's annual national gathering in it's traditional manner. The DAR National Board of Management voted to present the 129th Continental Congress as an online virtual experience, placing the health and safety of our members as the highest priority of our Society. DAR members can find more detailed information at www.dar.org/129CongressAnnouncement.

Update 4/15/20
The District of Columbia today extended the stay-at-home order and closure of non-essential businesses through May 15. As a result, the DAR National Headquarters will remain closed until that date or the order is rescinded. Virtually all employees continue to work remotely, though many functions (including DAR Applications) cannot be accessed/processed. Mail and other deliveries continue to be safely stored in a secure location. The President General and executive leadership continue to monitor events associated with the pandemic and to work with DAR staff regarding contingency planning for all functions. An announcement will follow on or before May 1 regarding the status of the 129th Continental Congress.

Update 3/25/20
DAR Headquarters will follow a directive from the Mayor of the District of Columbia requiring temporary closure of non-essential businesses in Washington, D.C., through April 24, 2020. To the best of their ability, most DAR employees continue to work remotely. In accordance with provisions of the new order, every effort will be made to conduct maintenance and other necessary functions in order to facilitate employees continuing to work remotely and to ensure the continued safe operation of the DAR complex.

Update 3/16/20
DAR employees have been authorized to work remotely in order to safely and efficiently carry forward the business of the National Society in consideration of the current uncertainty. This policy will remain in effect until at least April 1, when DAR leadership will reassess conditions. Plans are in place for complete business continuity as expeditiously as possible given this unprecedented situation. We ask for your patience and understanding as we act responsibly to protect the health and safety of our staff.

Update 3/13/20
In an abundance of caution for the health and safety of patrons and personnel and in joining with other institutions in the District of Columbia, beginning Saturday, March 14, 2020, the DAR Headquarters buildings, including the DAR Museum, DAR Library and DAR Constitution Hall, will be closed to the public. The duration of the closing will be reevaluated as information becomes available. DAR administrative offices are still operational at this time.UPDATE: The event scheduled in DAR Constitution Hall for Friday, March 13, 2020 has been postponed.

Update 3/11/20
Due to expected low attendance and recommendations from Washington, D.C. officials that “all ‘non-essential mass gatherings be canceled or rescheduled amid efforts to limit the effects of the coronavirus,” (this recommendation in effect through March 31) the DAR Museum has canceled the Women’s History Celebration scheduled for Saturday, March 14.

DAR National Headquarters

At DAR National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. we are taking myriad precautions within the building to ensure a healthy environment. Our housekeeping vendor has heightened cleaning and sanitization protocols following CDC guidelines. While hand-sanitizing stations have long been set up at various locations around the building, we have added more in high traffic areas for visitors and staff. Additionally, our security staff is encouraging visitors to use the hand-sanitizing station upon entering the building. We will continue to stay diligent and make any other necessary protocol updates necessary to ensure safety for our staff and visitors to our buildings. UPDATE: DAR Headquarters will be closed to the public and employees working remotely through at least May 15, by order of the District of Columbia.

Continental Congress, June 24-28, 2020

The National Society intends that our annual convention, Continental Congress, will go on as expected in June. We will continue to monitor the situation as it draws closer and provide updates to our membership should developments occur that would change this situation. Individuals should make their own decisions as to their immunity system, general overall health and willingness to travel, but know that we have every intention of staging Congress as scheduled. UPDATE: The National Society DAR announced on May 1 that the in-person gathering of the 129th Continental Congress will not be held in Washington, D.C. in June, but rather the business of the annual conference will instead be conducted ONLINE via the DAR Members’ Website June 24-28, 2020.

DAR State Conferences and Local State and Chapter Events 

DAR States and Chapters are encouraged to assess their local needs and take every precaution when hosting member and public events in their local area. It is up to state and chapter leadership to determine if events should go on as planned. We encourage you to refer to the CDC and local health department recommendations when making such decisions. UPDATE: Some DAR state conferences have been canceled. Please refer to each state society on their plans.

Recommendations

The CDC cautions that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) poses a serious health risk and is a rapidly evolving situation. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Individuals should take precautions to reduce the risk of infection by putting distance between themselves and others. Those of advanced age or who have compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of medical complications from the virus and should take special precautions as a result.

The CDC recommends practicing everyday preventive behaviors to protect yourself and your community:

• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Avoid shaking hands or hugging.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

We recommend keeping up to date with the CDC’s information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html.